A study on mean drop size and drop size distribution in an eductor liquid–liquid extractor

Abstract

In this work, Sauter mean diameter (SMD) and drop size distribution (DSD) are investigated in an eductor liquid-liquid extractor. The water/toluene liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) system was applied in the experiments. The jet length, the existence of venturi, the throat to nozzle area ratio, the projection ratio, and two phases flow rate ratio investigated in the experiments. Results show that for different nozzle diameters, from 1 to 3 mm, the same maximum jet length appears. Velocity range of formation was much wider for smaller nozzle diameters. Existence of venturi in front of nozzle reduces the SMD and produces narrower and symmetric DSD. Decrease of throat to nozzle area ratio and projection ratio decrease SMD and produce narrow and more symmetric DSD. Increase of two phases flow rate ratio increases the SMD trivially, and does not effect on DSD. A power law model was fitted to predict SMD. N-T model could predict DSD appropriately, while normal and log-normal models don’t fit well with the experimental data. The two parameters of N-T model were correlated, one with SMD and the other one with operational and geometrical parameters of equipment.